An enhanced GaAs monolithic transimpedance amplifier for low noise and high speed optical communications

Abstract

The design, implementation and test results of a simple GaAs monolithic transimpedance amplifier with enhanced performance for high-speed optical communications are described. A cascode configuration, improved in terms of bandwidth and noise, is used. On-wafer and on-carrier measurements show close agreement with simulated behavior. Excellent performance with high transimpedance gain, a bandwidth from DC to 1.6 GHz, low noise, and low power consumption is obtained. The temperature and bias point sensitivity is negligible. This last item turns out to be a major commercial achievement.